"I've actually found my body image to be better post parenthood. Pregnancy gave me a reason as to why I am built like way am - the boobs and hips and broader shoulders finally had a purpose. It all finally made sense. Parenthood is a continuation of that - my hips are to hold my baby by my side; my broader shoulders are so I can lift my son up. I'm so much more comfortable in my skin than I ever have been.

I always describe parenthood like discovering a new room in your home that you knew was there but had never bothered to enter. Structurally you understand the room, but you don't really know whats there until you step inside. With my first, the transition was shocking. I honestly felt shell-shocked from my birth experience - which happened unexpectedly early. The combination of no sleep, 100% attention, and the learning curve of new parenthood threw me for a loop (and into some PPD). I expected a reality shift, but not the step through the looking glass that I felt. My second child has been much easier to integrate into our lives. I have an understanding how how the days will run. I'm prepared for the sleep loss and attention needed. Now it's all about managing everyone's emotions.

{My advise to others is} Let go and trust. Your child will do what they do until they're ready to do something else. And you'll be happier not trying to solve problems that aren't solvable.

{I participated because} I wanted a time capsule for my family to remember this moment in time. Who I was, how I felt, what we looked like."